Uruguay's first marijuana club takes first steps to register officially after pot law

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – A marijuana growing club is taking steps to be the first officially recognized in Uruguay, where lawmakers have made their country the world's first national marketplace for legal pot.

Drug Control Chief Julio Calzada said Tuesday the Association of Cannabis Studies of Uruguay began the process by registering with the Education and Culture ministry.

The club will have 40 members and will be headed by Laura Blanco. She tells local El Pais newspaper that members will pay $300 dollars each to join, and a monthly fee of up to $65. Some of the members will use the marijuana to treat medical conditions.

Uruguayan lawmakers in December approved their country's experiment with marijuana, giving the government the power to oversee production, sales and consumption of a drug illegal almost everywhere else.